Subaru has always been a brand known for building enduring and reliable vehicles made for speed. However, the SUV boom of the 21st Century has forced plenty of manufacturers to reconsider the vehicle they choose. The compact crossover has been a success for Subaru with the 2022 Subaru Forester being their latest edition.
I recently had the opportunity to test drive the 2022 Subaru Forester and one of the key highlights that stood out was the flat-four engine with impeccable acceleration and the practical design with an outdoorsy touch. Competing with the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4, it offers similar traits like all-wheel drive as a standard.
Exterior
While many modern SUVs have a similar exterior, the 2022 Subaru Forester is one that slightly ups the ante for the competition. With standard 17-inch wheels and a rear spoiler, the vehicle accentuates class and quality. A streamlined design gives it a luxurious feeling and the variety of color options allows you to find what you like.
Overall, the exterior would be hard to compete with if we use the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 as comparisons. These vehicles have the typical shape that you would expect from a mid-range SUV made for practicality.
Interior
Having had the opportunity to test the more luxurious Touring model of the 2022 Subaru Forester, it was interesting to see the no-frills approach that the manufacturer has taken. It offers a comfortable riding position and the interior features leather seating that should give you more of a luxurious feel in your car.
The metallic plastic trims on the dashboard and other parts of the vehicle will offer you the design element that some bigger SUVs might lack inside. However, since practicality is the main theme, the spacious interior will be everything you need for packing and storing your fundamental gear. You can even fold the rear seats to improve the cargo space if needed.
In terms of the display, the base, premium, and sports models all have the standard 6.5p-inch display. However, the Touring model I tested had a slightly larger 8-inch display with two USB ports in the front. An additional two USB ports can be found in the rear of the vehicle. Wi-Fi with a 4G LTE connection will be standard on all models aside from the base model.
Engine/Powertrain
One of the main similarities you will notice is that all the models have the same 2.5-liter flat-four cylinder engine for power. The engine makes a whopping 182 horsepower, with a towing capacity of around 1,500-pounds. The Continuous Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT) is what drives the models, with it being patented for all Subaru all-wheel-drive vehicles.
While it might not be the fastest vehicle on the market today, it can still do 0-60 MPH in around 8-seconds. Unfortunately, this does not compete with the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-5 in terms of reaching top speed. Both these vehicles are turbocharged to add the extra power needed for more speed.
Fuel consumption is something that everyone is worried about in the modern era. The 2022 Subaru Forester will give you around 28 MPG on the highway, whilst giving you about 25 MPG in the city. We have calculated that your yearly fuel consumption should be around 26 MPG and you will spend around $250 more in fuel costs over 5-years compared to the average new vehicle.
Special Options/Package
The 2022 Subaru Forester is available with numerous options and packages to choose from. These models range from the base version up to the Touring Version. The touring version is the full package with all the trimmings and accessories while including a slightly larger infotainment display and additional Wi-Fi.
However, if you are simply looking at the engine, all of these models have the same engine to power you forward. It also features a standard 6-speaker system to blast some of your favorite tunes. Overall, the Premium models seem like the best value for money with a more affordable price and some of the luxurious trimmings.
Safety
The 2022 Subaru Forester has some of the basic safety features you would need for any vehicle. The standard automated emergency braking is ideal for helping you slow down the vehicle for a pending impact. Adaptive cruise control can give you a slight break at the steering wheel and the lane departure warning will indicate if the vehicle is swerving without an indicator present.
Finally, all the models feature the EyeSight suite of cameras that offer the driver some assistance. These will help with parking and they could ensure that you safely drive the car. In terms of overall safety, the NHTSA has given it a 5-star rating.
Verdict
If you are looking for a practical vehicle that should give you all the value you need without breaking the bank, the 2022 Subaru Forester. It might not have the power or outright speed of the Mazda and the Honda, but it features plenty of room for storage and an incredible design that makes it practical for all your needs.
The MSRP of the base model is around $26,570. However, you can add an additional package for another $1,800. If you are looking at the more luxurious Touring model, you can expect to pay $36,420 for all the features and every luxury included.
In terms of recommendations, the Premium model with an MSRP of $29,320 seems to be the fair option if you are not looking to break the bank and want some of the features. We would recommend the 2022 Subaru Forester for the practicality and usability it offers.
